TRAN Monthly Newsletter
www.tranweb.org
Volume III, Issue VIII
September 2013
President's Message
By Rochelle Owens
Greetings To All,
In all there was
over 450 attendees,
speakers and exhibitors
in attendance at the conference this year. Each
of you helped make the
TRAN conference 2013 a
great success. It started
with a presentation from
the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative
Services Commissioner
Veronda L. Durden as
she let us know about the
story of The Carpenter
and that life is a do-ityourself project. After
Commissioner Durden,
DARS/DRS Assistant
Commissioner Cheryl
Fuller presented and
pointed out that DRS will
be going back to fundamentals in Public VR and
looking at how VR dollars
are spent. DARS/DBS
Assistant Commissioner
Barbara J. Madrigal followed her and talked
about the different success stories throughout
the state. She also engaged us with an exercise using beach balls
and other beach-related
items.
The next two days
was followed by outstanding presenters who
exemplified that Public
Vocational Rehabilitation
truly works. Dr. Marini,
one of the key note
speakers shared parts of
his life story and how
Public VR made it possible for him to live independently after his injury. The closing keynote
speaker Mr. Robert
“Bobby” Barrera is a disabled veteran who told a
powerful story. He conveyed to the audience
how important it was not
to give up and to have a
strong support system.
After a day of
excellent training, everyone enjoyed wonderful
entertainment. The live
band Honey Badgers
were fantastic as they
played during the Exhibit
Highlight. This gave everyone the time to visit
the exhibitors and ask
questions about their
products and services.
The last night of the conference was a fun-filled
evening where everyone
enjoyed dancing to the
music of Jimmy Gonzales & Grupo Mazz. Then
there was a break to rest
our feet as we enjoyed
Happy the Comedian.
There was laughter
throughout the crowd.
The conference
would not have been
complete if not for the
numerous sponsors,
vendors and exhibitors
who came from all over
the state. I truly appreciate their continued
support of TRAN.
Putting on a
state conference such
as this is a major task.
I would like to thank
the countless volunteers who are committed to giving endless
volunteer time to make
TRAN a success. I
would like to give a
special THANKS to the
conference chair/cochair and all their committee members. This
would not have been
possible without their
relentless efforts and
continued dedication to
the mission and vision
of TRAN.
Rochelle Owens,
TRAN President 2013
Inside this issue:
TRAN Fundraiser
3
TRAN Recognition
4-6
TRAN Awards
7
2013 Conference Pictures
8-9
Election Results
10
TRAN Monthly Newsletter
Page 2
Texas RehabACTion Network
P.O. Box 4295
Austin, Texas 78765
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Oct 18, 2013
For 85 years, the Public VR Program
has been the foundation of America’s
commitment toward helping people
with disabilities overcome barriers to
employment and attain economic independence. VR is the major service
system confronting the growing crisis
of unemployment and dependence for
49 million Americans with disabilities.
Central Tx Walk N Roll
Waco
See the calendars on TRAN Web for more details.
Don’t forget we’re on Facebook, Twitter and
Wordpress. Check us out!
Money invested in the Public VR Program is money invested in the future
of America. Throughout the decades,
Public VR has more than paid for itself
by helping persons with disabilities
become taxpayers and fill both the
federal and state treasuries. In a given
year, graduates of the VR Program in
the working world pay up to $1 billion
in taxes of various kinds.
TEXAS REHABACTION NETWORK (TRAN)
About TRAN
TRAN is one of the largest
non profit organizations of
its kind. We are a growing
force in Texas, over 750
strong. Our members represent a diversity of voices
that understand the value
of the public vocational
rehabilitation program and
are dedicated to advocating for and promoting the
public VR program here in
Texas. The include: DARS
vocational rehabilitation
professionals, businesses
that provide ser-vices to
VR consumers, employers
and chambers of commerce, the university community, students preparing
to become VR professionals, citizens
that support public VR, and
more. Together we advo-
cate for public VR, educate
each other and our communities about the return
on investment we gain
from public VR, and celebrate the differences we
are able to achieve for the
VR consumers we serve in
the Lone Star state.
TRAN Vision:
The vision of the Texas
RehabACTion Network is
to supports it membership
by promoting the public
vocational rehabilitation’s
ability to provide employment services to persons
with disabilities and disability related solutions to the
business community.
To achieve this vision,
TRAN will foster effective
partnerships with state and
national vocational rehabili-
tation programs, community rehabilitation providers, other community resources and universities to
promote research and expand knowledge of best
practices in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation.
TRAN will keeps its membership informed about
state, federal and legislative issues pertaining to
public vocational rehabilitation and business information to members through a
variety of media.
TRAN Mission:
The mission of the Texas
RehabACTion Network
(TRAN) is to advance the
Public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program assuring effective service delivery for persons with dis-
abilities. The mission is
accomplished by Advocating, educating and mobilizing legislative and public
support; providing training
conferences, forums and
other effective communication methods for VR professionals; and fostering
the highest standards of
professional conduct.
Volume III, Issue VIII
Page 3
Serving up CEU’s & BBQ! DFW TRAN Fundraiser!
DFW gets in gear to educate and fundraise for Public VR!
Earlier this month long-time TRAN partner, United Access, hosted an afternoon training
and evening BBQ fundraiser and networking event in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex.
On the afternoon of the 3rd, more than 20 rehab professionals and Providers received
three hours of Continuing Education Units provided by Pate Rehabilitation. All three CEU’s were
centered around Brain Injuries and various post-treatment strategies that can be customized to
support consumers with daily living and on-the-job needs. The training was approved for Certified
Rehabilitation Counselors, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Case Managers,
Speech Therapists and Social Workers, as well as many others.
Later that evening, presenters, trainees and exhibitors/sponsors enjoyed a BBQ meal
while getting to know more about each other. TRAN raised approximately $1,000 for the day, and
plans to make this an annual event.
In addition to United Access, some of the other organizations involved in making this TRAN event a success were:
Hanger Prosthetics
NuMotion
Pate Rehab
Reliant Prosthetics
Strowmatt Rehabilitation
Services
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Ryan McClaskey with United Access
& The Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Case Management Team
Mike Shipka of United Access & Rana and
Stephanie of New Life Home Medical
Stephen Adams with Baylor Driving
program (Driver Evaluator approved
by DARS), Bobby Bryson with United
Access & Sharon Kim with Children’s
Medical Center Dallas
Mike Shipka of United Access getting the
Brisket ready
Page 4
TRAN Monthly Newsletter
TRAN RECOGNTION
LEGISLATORS OF THE YEAR
State Representative
State Representative Elliott Naishtat was recognized as the
TRAN Legislator of the Year, State Level, at last month’s TRAN Annual Conference in Corpus Christi.
Elected to the District 49 seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1990, Representative Naishtat has seen over 200 of his
bills passed by the state legislature, including HB 590, which was
signed into law on June 14 of this year by Governor Rick Perry, and
took effect the first of last month. This new law requires public
schools to include an Orientation and Mobility Evaluation, conducted
by a Certified O&M Specialist, in the initial visual impairment evaluation to determine if a student needs assistance in learning how to
function in school, the community, and at home.
State Representative
Representative Naishtat has proven throughout his career that Elliott Naishtat receiving
he is a champion for people with disabilities and Public VR. Prior to
the award from TRAN
being elected to the legislature, he served as Chair of Austin’s ComAdvocacy Committee
munity Development Commission, which advocated for employment
Co-Chair Greg Mason
for people with disabilities. He currently serves as a member of the
Human Services Committee of the Texas House, and is Vice Chair of its Public Health Committee.
Some of his other bills that have improved the lives of people with disabilities are: The
Nursing Home Reform Act of 1997, The Newborn Hearing Screening Act of 1999, and the Medicaid Simplification Act of 2001. He is known for countless others that have improved child labor
law enforcement, extended protective services for elderly and people with disabilities, and increased protections for patients in managed care organizations and psychiatric, substance abuse
and rehabilitation facilities.
One of the hallmarks of Representative Naishtat’s career was his sponsorship and passage of the Braille Literacy Act of 1991. This law established the requirement for Braille reading
and writing instruction for blind and visually impaired students in public schools, and set up the
provision of Braille textbooks so that Blind students could have the same classroom materials as
their peers.
Representative Naishtat recognized the relationship between Braille literacy, academic
success, stable employment and higher income. His work on this important legislation provided a
foundation for countless blind and visually impaired Texans to achieve greater independence,
confidence, employment and lifelong success.
Also in 1997, Representative Naishtat introduced and ensured passage of legislation that
led to the Blindness Education, Screening and Testing program, which continues today to assist
uninsured adult Texans with urgently needed eye-medical treatments to prevent blindness.
In recognition of these accomplishments, Representative Naishtat has received awards
from numerous organizations including The American Foundation for the Blind, American Cancer
Society, and Texas Freedom Network. Texas RehabACTion Network is happy to add our name
to that list. TRAN appreciates very much his leadership in the Texas Legislature year in and year
out.
Volume III, Issue VIII
Page 5
US Congressman
In August of 1995 United States Congressman Gene
Green of Houston led the way against consolidation of the
Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program into a “Career Bill”
block grant to the states. Without his leadership, which included making speeches on the floor of Congress, Public VR
would not have survived into this century as it exists today.
This bill would have made Public VR equivalent to more than
100 generic job programs, and would have allowed extensive
flexibility for the states to write their own rules and policies on
priorities and spending.
Congressman Gene Green reTexas RehabACTion Network was developed as the
ceiving the award last month.
Professional Association for employees and others interested Left to right: Cheryl Guido,
in support of the State/Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Pro- Gene Green, Diana Lopez and
gram in Texas in response to the consolidation and privatiza- Greg Mason.
tion efforts of the 1990s.
Since being elected to the House of Representatives, Green has been a champion of education, labor, health issues, Social Security and Veterans benefits, among others. He has worked
hard to improve access to quality health care, support initiatives to improve our economy and increased job training, and maintain financial aid for students.
Here are summaries of a partial list of bills introduced and championed by Congressman
Green over the years that supported Public VR in general or people with disabilities in particular,
most of which have gone on to be enacted into law:
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Expressing the sense of the Congress that all workers deserve fair treatment and safe working conditions, and honoring Dolores Huerta for her commitment to the improvement of working conditions for children, women, and farm worker families.
To provide for livable wages for Federal Government workers and workers hired under Federal contracts.
To amend certain Federal civil rights statutes to prevent the involuntary application of arbitration to claims that arise from unlawful employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, and for other purposes.
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand and improve coverage of mental
health services under the Medicare Program.
To amend the Public Health Service Act, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prohibit group and individual health plans from imposing treatment limitations or financial requirements on the coverage of mental health benefits and on the coverage of substance abuse and chemical dependency benefits if similar limitations or requirements are not imposed on medical and surgical benefits.
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to designate certified diabetes educators recognized by the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators as certified providers for
purposes of outpatient diabetes education services under part B of the Medicare Program.
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to improve operations of the Telecommunications
Development Fund.
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to permit States the option to provide Medicaid
coverage for low-income individuals infected with HIV.
Continued on the next page
Page 6
TRAN Monthly Newsletter
Continued from page 5
 To provide, with respect to diabetes in minority populations, for an increase in the extent of
activities carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health.
 To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis.
 To amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to increase the availability of, and improve quality care for, children with disabilities, and for other purposes.
 To amend title 38, United States Code, to suspend for five years the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase the copayment amount in effect for medication furnished
by the Secretary on an outpatient basis for the treatment of non-service-connected disabilities.
 To amend title 10, United States Code, to permit retired members of the Armed Forces who
have a service-connected disability to receive both military retired pay by reason of their years
of military service and disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for
their disability.
 To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide programs for the prevention, treatment,
and rehabilitation of stroke.
 To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals with disabilities and older
Americans with equal access to community-based attendant services and supports, and for
other purposes.
 To provide for equal coverage of mental health benefits with respect to health insurance coverage unless comparable limitations are imposed on medical and surgical benefits.
 To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize additional compensation to be paid to
certain veterans in receipt of compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for whom a family member dependent on the veteran for support provides care.
 To amend the Social Security Act to remove the limitation on the period of Medicare eligibility
for disabled workers.
 To amend title II of the Social Security Act to increase the level of earnings under which no
individual who is blind is determined to have demonstrated an ability to engage in substantial
gainful activity for purposes of determining disability.
 To improve services for people with autism & their families. (Apr 2007)
 To increase funding for occupational & physical therapy. (Apr 2011)
 To require text on TV for visually-impaired viewers. (Apr 2005)
 To facilitate nationwide 2-1-1 phone line for human services. (Jan 2007)
Currently the website of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
(CSAVR) includes the following quote on its front page:
“For every $1.00 invested in the current programs, it generates $18.00 in the form of reduced
disability payments and taxes paid by these participants who obtain employment. The earnings
of persons with disabilities who participate in the program are four times greater than those who
did not.”
- Gene Green, Congressman, Texas
Volume III, Issue VIII
Page 7
TRAN Awards

Greg Mason (Center) receiving the TRAN Member of the Year
Award from Past President Terry Smith and Recognition Committee Chair Laura Klaus.
Diana Lopez (Center) receiving the Outstanding TRAN Committee Member Award
from Terry Smith and Laura Klaus.

Pat Dunn of Corpus Christi Ice Rays speaking
to the TRAN crowd. The Corpus Christi Ice Rays
were the recipient of this year’s TRAN Award.
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DARS/DBS Field Director David Zarazua (Center) receiving the Ken
Vogel Memorial Award from Terry Smith and
Laura Klaus.
DARS/DRS Regional Director Tony Lawrence was unable to attend the conference and
accept in person the Vernon Max Arrell Award
for Lifetime Achievement. Pictured is
DARS/DRS Area Manager Keith Stanford
(Center) receiving the award on Mr. Lawrence’s
behalf.
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Diana Lopez and Rolinda Duran being recognized for fulfilling their
terms as TRAN Treasurer and Board Member At Large, respectively.
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Laura
Klaus
DARS/DRS Rehabilitation Services Technician Elizabeth Burnett
(Right) receiving the Belinda Kirkland Memorial Scholarship from TRAN
Public Service Committee Co-Chair Charissa Gainous.
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Page 8
TRAN Monthly Newsletter
Random 2013 Conference Photos—Go
online to TRAN’s Facebook page to see
more and tag yourself and your friends.
Volume III, Issue VIII
Page 9
More Random 2013 Conference
Photos
TRAN Monthly Newsletter
Page 10
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
TRAN would like to invite businesses, vendors, providers, etc. to advertise in this newsletter that has a circulation of more than 600 individual readers each month.
There are 3 reasons why you should advertise:

Promote your products and services to TRAN members!

Support the VR professionals in training, education and advocacy!

Receive business deductions!
ABC Job Placement
1234 Main St. Ste. 125
Houston, TX 77008
Toll Free: 1-866-123-4567
Advertisement Fees:
Business card ad is $25.00 month to
month, no contract.
Sample size 2 x 3 ½ business card ad:
John Doe
[email protected]
The deadline to send your advertisement is the 3rd Thursday of each month to ensure plenty
of time to be able to deliver your request to the advertising committee. If you have questions you can email [email protected]
TRAN ELECTIONS
The new TRAN Election process was a hit. The online voting system made the tallying of numbers much easier this year. Below are the results of your voting.
President Elect
Greg Mason
Vice President
Dennis Bilbrey
Treasurer
Jonathan Mize
Board Members At Large
Rolinda Duran
Diana Lopez
Thanks for Supporting TRAN and Public VR by casting your vote!